Vietnamese sport clears a path to world arena

Swimmer Anh Vien is the most impressive Vietnamese athletes in this year's SEA Games with a collection of eight individual gold medals.

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NDO – It is possible that Vietnam’s position on the medal standings of the 29th SEA Games will change, either higher or lower compared to the current third-place ranking, as the Games conclude on August 30. However, it is no longer an issue of much significance, as the Vietnamese sport has been continuously consistent on their present path with a lot of hopes: rising to the continental level and advancing into the Olympic arena.

This year, the SEA Games competition will wrap up for the Vietnam sport delegation in a definitely different manner. Actually, the transformation already emerged after the conclusion of the Games in Singapore two years ago, but it is not until now that the reform roadmap of Vietnamese sport has been clearly confirmed. Right before the day of departure, the Vietnamese sport contingent no longer had to “shoulder” the achievement goal of compulsorily making the top three on the overall medal haul as in previous Games versions.

Although the failure of U22 Vietnam and Olympic champion Hoang Xuan Vinh has left a sad tone in the mood of home fans, across the competition venues in Malaysia, the main “sound” remains the success of Vietnam’s national teams in key Olympic sports.

Concerning swimmer Anh Vien’s eight individual gold medals, Swimswam.com, an international website specialised in swimming, stated that “Anh Vien remains on fire”. And following Vien, 15-year-old Nguyen Huu Kim Son came to light, taking the men’s 400m medley title in 4:22.12, a new SEA Games record. These are all excellent signs. Vietnam’s track and field team reclaimed their domination in the Southeast Asian region at ease, with an impressive competitor, Le Tu Chinh, who has proved herself as a worthy successor to “speed queen” Vu Thi Huong by taking three gold medals on the women’s 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay races. With the strongest line-up in history thanks to the perfect succession and combination between generations, the men’s gymnastics team enjoyed a fruitful SEA Games in Malaysia, winning four gold medals – one team and three individual titles. In regards to martial arts, a highlight that cannot be over looked is the five gold medals secured by the karate team (surpassing the set target), a sport officially included in the next Olympic competition programme. It will be a shortcoming to not mention the concerted efforts and stunning success of Vietnam’s female footballers and young promising fencers (notably Vu Thanh An), among many other outstanding faces.

Vietnam’s investment in sport has begun to be centralised, organised and intensive, with a new momentum being created due to a new atmosphere in the sector. The significant SEA Games achievements in the Olympic events have proved that Vietnamese sport has chosen the right path to follow, which is to overcome the regional mindset and to march into the world arena. Regarding the Olympic events alone, Vietnamese sport lovers have the right to believe in the bright future of the national sport, thanks to the power of youthful athletes together with their enduring fighting spirit to bring glory to the homeland.